Emil Ruusuvuori Swings Back: Opening Up About His Panic Attack Struggle on the ATP Tour
Player Tim van Rijthoven barred from competition due to violating 'no alcohol and disrespect' rule. - Finnish tennis pro, Ruusuvuori, confesses episodes of panic attacks
Hey there! Let's chat about Emil Ruusuvuori, Finland's sentimental sword of tennis, who's recently opened up about the mental battle he's faced as a professional athlete. The dude's been missing from the ATP Tour scene for a bit, and turns out, it's all been about emotional turbulence.
Dealing with recurring panic attacks and other mental health challenges, Ruusuvuori shared in an Instagram post that he took a good six months off from competition. "I've been MIA from the court for four and a half months," he wrote. "Couldn't step foot on the court, mate." He ain't the only one paying attention to our mental wellbeing, y'know.
Ruusuvuori's revelation echoes the thoughts of other tennis legends and elite sportspeople. Naomi Osaka, the former world number one from Japan, previously spoke about depression and anxiety, and took a breather to prioritize her mental health.
Ruusuvuori used to wear the crown as Finland's top tennis player. The righty has scored wins against heavyweights, including Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and even Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon 2024. But, life's been a bit harder on the rackets lately. Currently, he's ranked No. 235, last playing in the ATP Tour back in July 2024, Washington-bound. Since February this year, he's been back to playing tournaments, yet only at the lower Levels, Challenger and ITF.
A Panic Attack can be a real game-changer, and Ruusuvuori's been battling them for four long years. High-pressure moments, like a Wimbledon face-off, have proved particularly daunting. Yet, Emil's focused on redefining his game and embracing the joy of the sport again, rather than just the competition[1].
Emill Ruusuvuori's Instagram post: Link Removed for Privacy The Finnish Tennis Magazine Article on Ruusuvuori's Mental Health Struggles (In Finnish)
Glimpses of Resilience:
- Ruusuvuori's Instagram post about taking a break and dealing with his panic attacks: Link Removed for Privacy
- Article in Finnish Tennis Magazine discussing Ruusuvuori's mental health struggles: Link Removed for Privacy
- ATP Tour rankings as of May 2025, showing Ruusuvuori's current ranking: Link Removed for Privacy
- Emil Ruusuvuori's clashes with dominating players like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas: Link Removed for Privacy
- The European Parliament and the Council, recognizing the importance of mental health in sports, might consider adopting a resolution to support athletes like Emil Ruusuvuori who battle panic attacks and other mental health issues, alongside advocating for improved health-and-wellness programs within sports organizations.
- Considering science's role in understanding and treating panic attacks, it's interesting to note that Ruusuvuori's battle with his condition mirrors recent findings in neuroscience, highlighting the potential for further research to develop more effective treatments for anxiety disorders among athletes.
- During his recovery from panic attacks, Ruusuvuori found solace in hobbies outside tennis, such as playing science-based strategy video games, which could potentially be beneficial for reducing stress levels and improving mental resilience both on and off the court.
